Ventilator unit



Nov. 25, 1969 1 A. MYERS VENTILATOR UNIT Filed Jan. l5, 1968 UnitedStates Patent O 3,479,947 VENTILATOR UNIT Lawrence A. Myers, Milford,Ind., assignor to Chore- 'I'ime Equipment, Inc., Milford, 1nd., acorporation of Indiana Filed Jan. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 697,913 Int. Cl.F04d 2.5/14; F24f 13/08 US. Cl. 98-116 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE There is disclosed a ventilator unit for mounting in a Wallof a building such as a poultry house. The unit cornprises a frame inwhich a fan is mounted and a combined closure and hood member swingablyconnected to the frame and adapted to be opened by air pressure when thefan is energized and constructed for minimizing the entry of rain andthe like.

The present invention relates to a novel ventilator unit and morespecifically to a novel unit particularly suitable to be mounted in anexterior wall of a building.

While ventilator units incorporating features of the present inventionmay be found suitable for a variety of installations, they areespecially adapted for use in poultry or livestock houses. Ventilatorunits heretofore suggested for poultry houses and the like have usuallyincluded a fan and some means for minimizing the possibility of theentry of rain, snow and the like, particularly when the fan is not inoperation. Such means have frequently included a plurality of shuttersor louvers mounted for opening when the fan is started and/or a fixedhood mounted on and projecting outwardly and downwardly from thebuilding sufficiently substantially to cover the fan opening. Suchheretofore proposed structures are usually relatively complicated andexpensive. In addition, such devices as louvers or shutters decrease theefiiciency of the fan unduly and are difiicult to clean and maintain.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novelventilator unit having a fan and constructed so as to effectively-preclude the entry of rain and the like without unnecessaryinterference with the operation of the fan and further constructed so asto facilitate easy maintenance and cleaning.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide aventilator unit of the above described type which is of relativelyeconomical construction.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novelventilator unit of the above described type having a fan mounted withina frame and including a closure member pivotally connected to the frameand constructed and arranged so as to open easily upon starting of thefan and so as to close effectively when the fan is stopped.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View showing a ventilator unit incorporating thefeatures of the present invention and further showing the closure memberof the unit in broken lines in an open position;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 inFIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken along line 3-3 inFIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4 4 inFIG. 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts aredesignated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, aventilator unit incorporating features of the present invention isadapted to be mounted 3,479,947 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 in an opening 12formed in a wall 14 of a building. As previously indicated, the unit maybe installed in a variety of build-ings and is particularly suitable forpoultry and livestock houses.

The unit 10 comprises a frame or shell preferably of rectangularconfiguration having opposite pairs of sides 16-18 and 20-22. Thesesides may be formed from sheet metal or any other suitable material andare joined together so as to define a rectangular opening complementaryto `the opening 12 in the building wall. The sides terminate in marginalflanges 24, 26, 28 and 30. These fianges are adapted to overlie aninterior surface of the building and are provided with apertures 32through which nails or other suitable fastening devices may be driven.

A fan 34 is mounted within the opening defined by the frame on suitablesupport members or brackets 36 secured to the interior surfaces of theframe side walls. The fan may be of known construction and includes anelectric motor 38 having an output shaft 40 on which a fan blade 42 issecured. The construction is such that when the fan is energized, air ispulled from the interior of the building and blown outwardly in thedirection of the arrows shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, a circular Cowling44 is mounted within the frame around the fan blade for increasing theefficiency of the air flow.

In order to prevent inadvertent or accidental contact with the fanblades, a protective screen 46 is secured over the inner or inlet sideof the frame. A similar screen or wire grid 48 is also preferablysecured along the outer side of the frame and across the dischargeopening defined by the cowling 44. These screens may be of knownconstruction and preferably have a grid size which is small enough toprevent accidental engagement with the fan blade but large enough so asto facilitate cleaning. Furthermore, the wire size and grid openings ofthe screens are such that the screens do not form obstructions whichsignificantly decrease the efiiciency of the fan.

In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, theventilator unit is provided with a closure member or a hood 50 adaptedto extend over the outer side of the frame and close the dischargeopening when the fan is not in use. The closure member or hood has sidemarginal portions or flanges 52, 54, 56 and 58 which are disposed in acommon plane and are adapted simultaneously to abut edges of the frameor box sides 16, 18, 20 and 22 which are also disposed in a common planeas shown best in FIG. 2. Identical but oppositely disposed side portions60 and 62 of the hood project outwardly and are inclined slightlyinwardly from junctions with the marginal or side anges 52 and 54 andmerge with a broad central panel portion 64 of the hood which is formedas discussed in detail below. Preferably the hood is molded in one piecefrom a suitable plastic material, but it is understood that any desiredfabricating means can be utilized.

Bracket members 66 and 68 are secured to the opposite ends of the topside 20 and support therebetween a hinge pin or rod 70. Complementaryhinge members 72 and 74 are secured to the upper fiange or marginalportion 56 of the hood. These hinge members embrace the hinge pin or rod70 as shown best in FIGS. 2 and 4 for pivotally or swingably supportingthe hood member. The arrangement is such that the axis of the hinge pinor rod 70 is in a plane containing the marginal fianges of the hoodmember and preferably slightly laterally outwardly from a planecontaining the inwardly facing surfaces of these marginal portions. Thisarrangement aids in assuring proper sealing or closing engagement of themarginal portions with the outer edges of the frame or box.

T he central panel 64 of the hood has a first or top section 76extending laterally outwardly from the upper marginal flange 56 asubstantial distance. While the section 76 may be inclined downwardlyslightly, to promote the runoff of rain water and the like when the hoodis closed, it preferably extends primarily laterally outwardly formergin-g with a second generally vertical or upright section 78 at ajunction which is at about the same level as the uppermost point of thefan Cowling 44 and is spaced a substantial distance, at least severalinches, outwardly from the fan.

The section 78 extends downwardly and merges with another section 80 ata junction 82 located slightly above the axis of the fan blade as shownbest in FIG. 2. The section 80 is inclined inwardly from the junction 82to a point or junction 84 close to the plane of the marginal flanges ofthe hood and relatively close to the lowermost point of the fan cowling44. From the junction 84, the center panel has a section 86 whichextends sharply outwardly for a short distance and merges with anothersection 88 which extends sharply inwardly and in turn merges with thebottom marginal flange 58. The location and arrangement of majorportions of the hood Substantially laterally outwardly of the planecontaining the marginal fianges and the axis of the rod 70 locates thecenter of gravity of the hood at a point which is also spaced laterallyoutwardly from this plane. As a result, the hood is normally biased bygravity firmly against the edges of the frame or box for assuring properclosure of the fan opening.

When the fan is energized, the pressure provided by the air streamcauses the hood to shift from the closed position shown in solid linesto the open position shown in broken lines. In this open position, it isseen upon referring to FIG. 2, that the upper sections 76 and 78 of thehood are spaced substantially laterally outwardly from the fan bladeeven though these sections are closest to the hinge because of theaforedescribed manner in which the sections 76 are formed. The remainingsections 82, 86 and 88 of the hood are progressively spaced even greaterdistances from the fan opening as result of the inclined position of thehood. The total result is that the central panel portion of the hood isspaced sufficiently outwardly from the fan so as to avoid undueinterference with the air stream in a manner which might cause asubstantial decrease in the efficiency of the fan. By way of comparison,it has been found that presently available automatically operable louveror shutter structures reduce the efficiency of the fan by more thantwice as much as the hood structure of the present invention.

Brackets 90 and 92 are secured to the opposite sides 16 and 18 towardbut spaced beneath upper margins thereof. These brackets projectforwardly or outwardly from the frame or fan box and carry stop elementsor flanges 94 and 96 at outer ends thereof. These flanges may beseparately or integrally formed and project inwardly respectively forengaging side marginal flanges 52 and 54 of the hood and therebypositively limiting outward movement of the hood as shown in brokenlines in FIGS. l, 2 and 3. In this manner, positive control ismaintained over the hood so as to minimize any possibility of the hoodbeing twisted and damaged by any wind blowing around the building. Aspreviously indicated, the central panel portion of the hood is spacedoutwardly from the fan in a manner for minimizing any adverse effect onthe efficiency of the fan. At the same time, however, the gradualreverse inclination of the section 80 and the sharp inclination of thesection 88 effectively increases the lifting action of the air streamagainst the inner side of the hood for positively and securely holdingthe hood against the stops 94 and 96. While the relative angle of thesections 80 and 88 may be varied within reasonable limits, onearrangement which has been found to be successful contemplates a 9 anglebetween the section 88 and the plane of the marginal flanges and a 60angle between the section 88 and the marginal flanges. As previouslyindicated, the section 88 merges with an outwardly inclined section 86.The V-shaped rib provided by these sections enhances the strength andrigidity of the lower free marginal portion of the hood.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown anddescribed herein, it is obvious that many structural details may bechanged without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A ventilator comprising frame means defining an opening through whichan air stream is to be blown outwardly when the ventilator is inoperation, a closure member traversing said opening, and means betweensaid frame means and a first margin of said closure member pivotallymounting closure member for movement between a closed position and anopen position, said closure member including a section adjacent saidmounting means extending substantially outwardly from said opening andan additional section extending from said first mentioned sectiontransversely of said opening for promoting movement of said closuremember to said open position under the influence of said air stream uponoperation of the ventilator and for minimizing any decrease in theefiiciency of the flow of said air stream. said second section extendinggenerally parallel to said opening to a line traversing a mid portion ofthe opening, said closure member including a third section extendingfrom a junction at said line with said second section and inclined at arelatively small angle rearwardly with respect to said second section,and a fourth section adjacent a margin of said closure member oppositefrom said mounting means and inclined rearwardly at a relatively largeangle with respect to said second section.

2. A ventilator comprising frame means defining an opening through whichan air stream is to be blown outwardly when the ventilator is inoperation, a closure member traversing said opening, and means betweensaid frame means and a first margin of said closure member pivotallymounting closure member for movement between a closed position and anopen position, said closure member including a section adjacent saidmounting means extending substantially outwardly from said opening andan additional section extending from said first mentioned sectiontransversely of said opening for promoting movement of said closuremember to said open position under the influence of said air stream uponoperation of the ventilator and for minimizing any decrease in theefficiency of the fiow of said air stream, said closure member includingperipherally substantially continuous marginal portions disposedsubstantially in a common plane and engageable with and around theperiphery of said frame means when the closure member is in said closedposition, said closure member further including opposite spaced apartside portions extending laterally outwardly from adjacent oppositemarginal portions, said side portions and said last mentioned marginalportions extending transversely away from said mounting means, and saidclosure member comprising a central panel portion extending between andjoining said side portions and including said rst and second mentionedsections.

3. A ventilator, as defined in claim 2, wherein said second mentionedsection is inclined reversely with respect to said first mentionedsection.

4. A ventilator, as defined in claim 2, wherein said closure memberincludes another section adjacent a margin opposite from said mountingmeans and extending in a direction sharply reversed with respect to saidrst mentioned section.

5. A ventilator, as defined in claim 2, which includes stop meansconnected with opposite sides of said frame means and disposed outwardlytherefrom for engaging said opposite marginal portions of said closuremember when the closure member is in said open position and forpreventing the closure member from moving outwardly beyond said openposition.

6. A hood for a ventilator of the type described coniprising an uppermarginal portion, a lower marginal portion, opposite side marginalportions joining said upper and lower marginal portions, all of saidmarginal portions being dsposed substantially in a common plane, saidupper marginal portion being adapted to be connected with hinge meansfor pivotally mounting the hood for movement from an upright closedposition to an outwardly inclined open position, said hood includingspaced apart opposite side portions projecting laterally outwardly fromsaid opposite side marginal portions, and said hood including a centralpanel portion extending between said upper and lower marginal portionsand joined to outer edges of said opposite side portions, said centralpanel portion including a first section extending laterally outwardlyfrom said upper marginal portion and an additional section extendingreversely of said iirst section and toward said lower marginal portion.

7. A hood, as dened in claim 6, wherein said additional section of saidcentral panel portion extends from a line generally centrally positionedbetween said upper and lower marginal portions and at a relatively smallangle with respect to the plane of said marginal portions, said centralpanel portion including another section adjacent said lower marginalportion and extending reversely with respect to said first section andat a relatively large angle with respect to said plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,804,008 8/1957 Koch 98-432,580,797 1/1952 Koch 98-116 2,571,374 10/1951 Mayr 98-116 2,159,4985/1939 Birkolz 98-116 2,225,349 12/ 1940 Morse 98-116 2,933,241 4/1960Braskamp 230-259 2,950,859 8/1960 Kirk 230-259 FOREIGN PATENTS 709,7858/ 1941 Germany. 1,061,261 11/1953 France. 1,162,268 4/1958 France.

HENRY F. RADUAZO, Primary Examiner U.S. C1. XR.

